Giving

I read this story this morning in the book "The Heart of Goodness". I wanted to share it with you. Boyd Ware vividly remembers the moment when he learned the meaning of giving: "When I was a boy," he recalls, "my parents asked me and my two brothers to help create a Christmas for a family in need by choosing among our own toys ones that would be just right for the children in this family. After choosing, we would work as a family to repair and clean up the toys. And at first the project sounded like fun.
"But to be honest, when it came to giving up our own personal toys, we began to lose enthusiasm. Silently, we boys thought, 'Why do we have to do this?' However, once we became involved in the project, we became excited - almost as though we were experiencing what the family would feel on Christmas morning.
"The weeks of preparation went by quickly and soon it was Christmas Eve. Just after dark we loaded boxes of presents and food into the car and drove to the family's home. Dad let us take the boxes to the door while he and Mom remained in the car. Dad parked the car just out of sight, but close enough to the scene that he and Mom could see what happened."
Ware and his brothers placed the boxes on the porch, knocked, and then ran, diving behind some nearby bushes. They were out of breath as the porch light came on. Describing subsequent events, Ware relates:
"As we watched, I saw one head peak out through the glass pane in the door. Soon more heads appeared and the door opened a little, then closed. Not long after, the door opened again and I could hear excited voices. Once more the door closed, and when it opened this time, even more heads appeared. Then the door opened a final time and the kids scampered out. They surrounded the boxes placed on the porch, excitedly talking about them. Finally, they took the boxes inside.
"It seemed like forever, but it was probably only a few moments later that the door opened again, this time just part way. The mother of the family appeared and, with a voice that conveyed deep gratitude, she called out into the night: 'Thank you! thank you! Whoever you are!'
"Her words lingered in the air for a moment and then the door closed, the light went out, and she was gone. Tears were pouring down my face as I turned to my brothers and discovered they were also crying."
Ware continues: "After remaining in the bushes a few minutes to compose ourselves, we went back to the car. Very little was said for we, as a family, had seen and felt the same things and what we witnessed seemed almost sacred. I'll never forget my feelings when the mother called out to us. Her words penetrated my heart, forever changing the way I felt about life. It was at that moment I discovered how good it felt to give. I'd never really ever sacrificed anything before, or given of myself, and this was the first time I'd ever done something important for someone else.
"I don't remember the toys I received that Christmas - it hardly seemed important. I had received the most precious gift. I had received the gift of giving."


"The only things we ever keep are what we give away." Louis Ginsburg


"The miracle is this - the more we share, the more we have." Leonard Nimoy

Glad to be home

Blair and I went to Las Vegas on Sunday night. He had to be in Henderson at 9:00 Monday morning. He was there to install a big machine and thought it would be a quick install, and we'd do some sight seeing, but it ended up taking 3 days. We started for home this morning and were in Beaver when the company called with a problem. Poor Blair is headed back again this Sunday. I hope all goes well this time. I did enjoy lounging around for 3 days. It was nice not to have any place to go or any deadlines to meet.

Gratitude

Wow, time flies when we aren't paying attention. The day here has been so beautiful. The sun shone all day. We went to the post office, Carl's Jr., Lowe's, Walmart, Napa, and then home. My ears are finally getting unclogged. It has taken until today, to finally feel a difference. During this week, any kind of music sounded off key and any sounds echoed or played stereo in one ear. This gave me a great appreciation for the gift of hearing. I'm grateful for my eyesight, my legs and arms that work and a warm place to call home, food to eat and so many other blessings. Heavenly Father is so good to me. I'm also grateful for family and friends, and for the beautiful earth.

My week

I've been laying around all week. I woke up Monday morning with a sinus infection and sore throat. I even went out and shoveled the walks on Wednesday hoping to work through it. Does anyone remember Dad doing that? Anyway, it got worse and ended up in my chest and the last two days in my ears and eyes. I got some encouragement from Amber's Mom (she's a nurse)about going to the doctor. He looked at my ears and gave me an antibiotic. Both ears were infected. I don't ever remember having an ear ache, so I now understand what all you ear ache sufferers go through. It was a beautiful day today. The sun was shining and I wanted to go work in the yard, but I will wait. Blair drove to Colorado to do some work on Wednesday morning, and got back Thursday night. Sheila has been helping me all week. What a nice sister she is. She went to Special Needs Mutual on Thursday. She loves being with her friends. Sheila and Blair are out getting the trucked washed. They made a stop at Costco today. Sam, Amber and kids stopped by with a holly plant from Cactus and Tropicals. I love that place and I love the plant. Heidi and Dave made me some home made chicken noodle soup. It was soooo good! I think I'm a bit spoiled but I sure love and appreciate all that has been done for me. Blair even did the laundry.

The snow is here...

Hailey

Today was a special day for Hailey. She was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are so proud of her. We enjoyed sharing this day with her.